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The Monument Green in Montrose was the setting on June 14th for a brief ceremony honoring area veterans of all ages and ranks sponsored by, among others, the Susquehanna County America250PA Committee, the Susquehanna County Promotion & Tourism Agency, and the Vets Fund through the Endless Mountains Community Foundation. The Susquehanna County Republican Committee provided coffee and doughnuts, a tent and chairs from Creekside Rentals kept the sprinkles off, and volunteers from Susquehanna County Adult Probation/Parole helped to make sure the veterans were comfortable.

The Reverend Lucas Taylor gave the invocation and benediction. State Senator Lisa Baker led the gathered in the Pledge of Allegiance. And Jason Legg, President Judge of the county Court of Common Pleas addressed the nearly 50 assembled veterans. Many of the veterans responded with “Accounted for” when Judge Legg read off their names, ranks and branch of service, some of them even giving a smart salute.

Some of the veterans attending, and scenes from the event:

Six hundred tons of American steel thundered through the heart of Susquehanna County on Saturday, June 13th, on the way to Steamtown in Scranton, and thence to Philadelphia to help celebrate the Semi-quincentennial of the United States. Built by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York in 1941, the Union Pacific’s 4014 “Big Boy” is the last of a breed of the largest steam locomotive engines ever built. Originally fired with coal to operate primarily in the wide open spaces of the western states, 4014 was later converted to use fuel oil, and is now the only remaining example of its type still operating.

The enormous machine was brought out of retirement early this year with a tour of northern California, to begin crossing the continent in commemoration of the nation’s 250th birthday. The eastern leg of the journey began in May from its current home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Everywhere it went, cleaned and polished from end to end, it has attracted large crowds.

Passing through Susquehanna County along a route paralleling what is now US Route 11, the train’s steam whistle echoed down the valleys to announce its approach everywhere the tracks were accessible. The traffic and crowds also attracted many yard sales along the route, particularly through Hallstead and New Milford. It was a glorious day for just about anything, with warm, dry air, sunshine and blue skies to accompany the train on its journey.

The conditions were most favorable for the many thousands of photos and videos that will become mementos of the day for the hundreds of youngsters awed by the enormous, black machine that rumbled by them that day, engineers waving to the crowds along the way. Some of our photos:

The Forest City Regional School District (FCRSD) during their regular School Board meeting allowed for public comment before starting on June 15, 2026. John Kameen had the following statement for the board: “It’s apparent the Board will pass the 2026-2027 budget with the state’s maximum 4.7% index. An attempt was made by the budget committee to cut expenses or to find additional revenue but no meaningful reduction in the district’s structural deficit is reflected in the new budget. Your auditor said the district’s deficit is structural because recurring costs are rising faster than revenues, even if the district raises taxes within the legal limits.” He said the largest recurring cost driver is in salaries and benefits which is almost 70% of the total budget. He concluded by stating that, “If staffing levels are not adjusted to match realities that, over time, the district will not be able to meet its fiscal needs. FCR’s tax rate last year was raised 5.4% so that tax rate was almost double the 2.7% national inflation for the year and that didn’t reduce the structural deficit. In 2020 FCR had a fund balance of $5.3M. In 2022 the district got $1.6M in COVID funds which, if used judicially would have broken the back of the structural deficit at the time. Since 2022 you have reduced the fund balance to about $550,000 ending this year. Since you will use $617,000 of the fund balance to balance this year’s budget you will have no fund balance with uncommitted funds at the end of next year. You have two major chances in the next two years to address salaries and benefits with the regular employee contract now being negotiated and the teacher’s salary contract in 2028. If you turn the negotiating over to your legal counsels you get the same results as in the past. You can continue as Board members to say you will not allow the district to fail but the next step when there is no fund balance is to get bank loans which is being done in Mt. View School District. But when you can’t pay it back before the next budget like Mt. View then you borrow more. Eventually you do have to pay it. You must begin to do something now. You can’t put it off until an unsolvable financial crisis exists.”

Vice President Christopher Stahl responded to Mr. Kameen’s statement by commenting the balance has been shrinking, we are currently not in a dire emergency this year. There are two camps out in the public, one camp thinks the school is doing fine and the other camp thinks the school is out of money and closing, two extremes. VP Stahl continued, “If we (the School Board) don’t do anything in the next 2 years there will be a problem, but we are working on a solution. We have $260,000 reduction in salaries, but a 24% increase in healthcare costs.”

Eileen Lynch spoke and said she supports the school stating there is better education here with the smaller classes, but she feels the School Board, by raising taxes in the past three years is just putting a band aid on the problem. For some families the taxes may be an issue, but you are paying taxes to get an education.

President Marissa McAndrew stated the way funding is allocated from the state is an issue. She suggests speaking to the representation in Harrisburg. Lack of industry and businesses in the area is also a problem with support for the school.

VP Stahl said he would like to setup a webpage where it would be clean and orderly with graphics showing the current state of school budget. To communicate better to the public, here’s the data and here’s the solution. Where the public would also be able to comment and maybe offer some other solution.

Although the school board announced the new budget was going to raise taxes by 4.7%, apparently it wasn’t a concern to the community since only 11 people were in attendance for the meeting.

After public comment was over the School Board unanimously approved the 2026-2027 budget of $20,009,153. Local total with increase is $8,926,370; State total $10,070,611; Federal total $374,647 which is a total of $19,371,628 which leaves a deficit of $637,525.

VP Stahl reported there is help in reducing tax bills by applying for the homestead/farmstead exclusion on dced.pa.gov or contact your county courthouse. PA Rent & Property Owner Rebate – 65 and older, widow(ers) over 50 or over 18 with disabilities each year can receive up to $1,000 contact myPATH.pa.gov for more information.

The school year had ended so many children who were recognized and received an award were not on hand to receive it. The following students were in attendance: Outstanding Foresters for May 2026: PreK: Audrey Little; Kindergarten, Cora Pajka; Grade 2, Greta Kravits; Grade 3, Jordyn Talerico; Grade 5, Isabel McAndrew. Outstanding Senior for May 2026 Wyatt Barucky. Students not in attendance: Outstanding Foresters for May 2026: Grade 1, Beatrice Cottrell, Grade 4, Harper Samuel; Grade 6, Chase Dottle, Grade 6, Maelee Grace-Richards. Super Sixth Grader for May 2026: Ella Walker.

The following agreements were approved: Leader Services Agreement in the amount of $4,260 from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; Graham Academy for the 2026-2027 school year (3 students currently, no increase); Lightspeed Systems for new content filter, alert system and classroom management software for the 2026-2027 school year at a cost of $6,741.40 (program flags inappropriate language and other use on child’s computer whether they are using it at home or at school); Interpretek American Sign Language Interpreting Services (currently 1 student using service); New Story Schools for the 2026-2027 school year (currently 2 students which cost upwards of $100,000 each student); ProCare Occupational Therapy Client Services for the 2026-2027 school year; Children and Yourth experiencing Homelessness Program for the 2026-2027 school year.

The following were approved: Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers for school health care services for the 2026-2027 school year; Dr. Gerard Genco as the school dentist for the 2026-2027 school year (Dr. Genco provides his service for free).

Meghan Kugler appointed as Speech Therapist, part-time at a salary of $75 per hour for 14 hours per week for the 2026-2027 school year; Keshia Rousseau, ProCare Therapy Consultant at a cost of $45 per hour from June 29, 2026 through July 30, 2026; John Bradley as school district police officer for 185 days at a salary of $45,920 for the 2026-2027 school year; Jocelyn Finnerty as Board Secretary at a stipend of $3,500 year; Board Treasurer Danielle Pajka as Board Treasurer one year term starting July 1, 2026 with no compensation; Lauren Roote as Secondary Math teacher effective August 24, 2026 at a salary of $63,499; Amanda Vinton Special Education teacher effective August 24, 2026 with a salary of $63,499 for the 2026-2027 school year; Nicole Botjer as 210-day Secretary effective July 1, 2026 subject to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding between the union and the board (moving 260 days to 210 days will be a savings of $10,000).

Samuel Brooks, Choral Music Teacher resigned effective June 8, 2026; Shari Franklin High School Math Teacher resigned effective June 11, 2026; Kayla Gyle support staff Paraprofessional resigned effective May 28, 2026, and Amanda Quinn support staff paraprofessional resigned effective June 8, 2026. All resignations were accepted with regret.

The next School Board meeting will be held on Monday, July 13, 2026 at 7:30pm.

Despite recent notices to the contrary, New Milford is still trying to get the only public outdoor swimming pool in Susquehanna County open for at least part of the summer. At their June meeting on the 18th, members of the Borough Council hashed out the many obstacles, searching for solutions. While the prospects are still iffy, efforts will be made to overcome them.

A seat on Council opened up with the resignation of Michael Allen, and was immediately filled as Jim Carr was sworn in by Mayor Scott Smith.

Council voted to purchase the necessary new pump and filter, at a total cost of over $20,000. It helped that an anonymous donor provided $20,000 specifically for pool maintenance. Then the pool has to be cleaned and re-filled, and at least one and a half lifeguards have to be employed. Karen Gudykunst, who had announced her retirement from the annual summer chore, re-announced that she would be willing to continue for the latter part of the season this year. Council also voted to pay for the remaining half of the cost of certification of the lifeguards who took the training, regardless of whether or not the pool re-opens.

Because, as President Kerin Welch has said, “It all comes down to money,” the Borough Council is searching for ways to help pay for the expensive municipal amenity: more donations? Can businesses chip in? Regardless, Council Vice President Donna Cosmello declared that the town would “move forward accordingly.”

The pool is in Blue Ridge Park, the largest of the town’s recreational facilities. That park was the target of vandals, who damaged 3 of its 21 light poles. Council voted to replace the ruined ones, along with 8 globes. The cost of nearly $3,000 is expected to be borne by restitution imposed on the guilty miscreants.

The other of New Milford’s two major parks is the scene of the annual Mid-Town Festival, this year on June 6. And it was a resounding success, in spite of the threatening weather and morning showers. The event yielded a net return of just under $10,000, including from the sale of some 300 barbecued chickens (well, okay, 300 halves of 150 total chickens).

The monthly bill list seems to always include a sizeable payment to Milnes Engineering, mostly for work on the town’s many bridges. It was no different this month, as engineering work proceeds for the repair or replacement of the bridge on Maple Street. Then there is the bridge on Johnston Street which will need replacing eventually. As Ms. Welch said, the work that was completed recently to get that bridge useable again was merely a “Band-Aid.” A meeting is scheduled with the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on that.

Borough Secretary Amy Hine will be away for the next meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2026. The August meeting will be rescheduled to the 13th so members can attend the Harford Fair the following week. Meetings begin at 6:30pm at the Borough office on Main Street.

Brad Millard, President of the Harford Township Municipal Authority and prime mover behind the resurrection of the little town’s ballfield park, declared the park’s recent Grand Opening on 9 Partners Day 2026 a success. At the Township Supervisors’ meeting on June 16th, he reviewed the results of the two-part event that showed a net gain of some $1,800 in proceeds from sales of barbecued chicken (some 182 of them), pizza, donations and what all.

The first day, May 23rd, was rainy, cold and windy, but more people turned out than anyone expected for the re-dedication of the 9 Partners Monument in the center of the village, the bedraggled parade to the park, the music of the Mountain View High School Band, the speeches and the ribbon cutting. For Part Two on the following weekend the weather was much better, good enough for baseball and good times.

There is still work to do. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) that is guaranteeing a large part of the funding for the project, still needs to sign off on the last $53,000, and they want some fixes. Specifically, there is some concern about the “rain garden” plantings, and spaces for handicapped parking need to be improved. The Authority will be looking to the engineers for recompense, since it was they who designed those facilities. Mr. Millard also said that work is beginning on a security system for the park.

Beyond that, Township Supervisor Dustin Walker wondered if the park could be used for a New Year’s Eve extravaganza. Of course, the park will officially be closed in the winter, but, hey …

It was a relatively brief meeting. Mr. Walker said that the lawyers are still working on an agreement between the Township and the Harford Fair about responsibility for sewage and the sewer system. He also said that proposed ordinances covering data centers and solar farms are undergoing some adjustments. The ordinances do not prohibit such facilities; they only try to regulate their construction, operation and demolition/decommissioning.

Financial reports showed that the annual “cleanup” was nearly a wash: the Township paid Diaz Disposal $2,314 to collect the material, against $2,010 collected from people disposing of that material.  The Treasurer’s Report shows balances totaling just under $1 million among all of the various accounts as of June 16, 2026.

For those concerned about dust on the roads, Mr. Walker explained that there has been some difficulty acquiring enough calcium chloride for dust control. Possibly due to disruptions from the Middle East, many such products have been hard to come by, or have become much more expensive. Hope for rain.

The next public meeting of the Harford Township Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, 2026 beginning at 7:00pm at the Township office on Route 547.